Battery packaging

ABSTRACT

A package has a surface including graphics providing a two dimensional image. One or more batteries project from the surface and are positioned relative to the graphics such that portions of the image are three-dimensional.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/973,163 filed on Sep. 17, 2008 by David J. Merten and Jay Z. Muchin and entitled BATTERY PACKAGING, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Current packaging for batteries, such as button cell batteries, remains uninspiring and fails to warrant consumer attention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery packaging according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the battery packaging of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A as a sectional view of the battery packaging of FIG. 2 taken along line 2A-2A.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the battery packaging of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the battery packaging of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the battery packaging of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the battery packaging of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-6 illustrates various examples of battery packaging in which one or more batteries project forwardly, upwardly or outwardly from a surface of the package to provide a two-dimensional graphical image on the surface with a three-dimensional visual presence that is related to a two-dimensional image. In the examples illustrated, one or more button cell batteries project from the surface of cards having two-dimensional images. As a result, a relatively boring two-dimensional image is provided with a three-dimensional effect, garnishing attention from consumers. This three-dimensional effect is achieved using the product itself, and the actual shape of the product itself.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a battery packaging 20 which includes a card or other package 22 having a surface 24 including an image or graphic representation 26 of a vehicle 27, wherein button cell batteries 28A, 28B and 28C (collectively referred to as batteries 28) are located so as to correspond to headlights 30 of the vehicle 27. The headlights 30 of vehicle 27 have a circular shape. Since the product, button cell batteries 28, also have a circular shape, they are positioned so as to represent headlights 30 with a three-dimensional shape or fact by projecting forwardly where such headlights 30 are located.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the two-dimensional representation of vehicle 27 additionally includes a two-dimensional representation 32 of a headlight. Thus, in the example illustrated, the headlights of vehicle 27 are represented by both a two-dimensional representation (graphical representation 32 of one of headlights 30) and a three-dimensional representation (batteries 28). Because the same elements of the graphic representation (the headlights 30 in the example) are represented by both two-dimensional graphic images and three-dimensional batteries 28, the person seeing packaging 20 is better able to make the correlation between the two-dimensional representation and the three-dimensional portion of the image. In other words, a person is better able to see that batteries 28 have been creatively used to depict headlights 30. This enhances the intention gathering in fact of the packaging arrangement. In other embodiments, each of the graphical elements of an image (each of the headlights 30 in the example) may alternatively be represented by a shape of the product (batteries 28).

In the example illustrated, batteries 28 have substantially the same size as the two-dimensional graphical element (headlights 30 and example) which they are replacing. This similarity in size, as well as shape, further enhances the visual correlation. In other embodiments, batteries 28 may have a substantially different size as compared to the two-dimensional graphical element which they replacing.

As further shown by FIG. 2, batteries 28 are not uniformly spaced from one another or relative to one another. Batteries 28A and 28B are closely spaced while battery 28C is distant from batteries 28A and 28B. This non-symmetrical or uneven arrangement of batteries 28 further enhances the intention gathering effect of packaging 20. Rather than simply appearing as a string or series of products carried by a packaging 22, batteries 28 appear as a unique and precise arrangement or layout visibly tied to the underlying two-dimensional graphic image. The non-uniform or non-symmetrical relative positioning of the batteries may attract attention to the batteries and enhance the artwork being presented. In other embodiments, batteries 28 may be symmetrically arranged and uniformly spaced.

As shown by FIG. 2A, in the example illustrated, package 22 comprises a card 50, wherein the batteries are captured between the card 50 and a transparent or translucent polymeric film 52 which is adhered or bonded to a face 54 to the card 50 having a hang hole 56 (shown in FIG. 1). As further shown by FIG. 2A, package 22 includes an additional card 60 sandwiching film 52 between card 50 and card 60. Card 60 includes openings 62 through which batteries 28 and overlying wrapping portions of film 52 project. In one embodiment, card 60 is joined or adhered to underlying portions of film 52. In other embodiments, card 60 is additionally or alternatively adhered or otherwise secured to card 50. In one embodiment, card 50 and card 60 may be formed as a single unitary body or panel which is folded upon itself to capture film 52 there between. In some embodiment, film 52 may alternatively be adhered or joined to card 60 rather than card 50. In yet other embodiments, card 60 may be omitted.

In one embodiment, the printing forming the two-dimensional images or graphical representations may be formed upon or printed upon face 54 of card 50, wherein card 60 is it transparent or translucent or where card 60 is omitted. In other embodiments, the two-dimensional images or graphical representations may alternatively be printed upon face 64 of card 60. In some embodiments where other means are provided for securing batteries 28 in place, film 52 may be omitted. In some embodiments where batteries 28 are otherwise secured card 60 (with or without film 52), card 50 may be omitted.

In other embodiments, the button cell batteries 28 may be secured to the card 50 or other packaging surfaces in other fashions. In some embodiments, in lieu of projecting from the card 50 (and from card 60 in the example shown), the one or more batteries 28 may be at least partially recessed with the card 50 or have surfaces coplanar with the face of the card 50 or card 60 including a graphical image.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrates other examples of package 20 having substantially the same overall construction as that of packaging 20 except that the other examples have different to-dimensional graphic images are representations and different arrangements of batteries 28 two or ID3-dimensional effect. As with packaging 20, packages 120, 220, 320 and 420 shown in FIGS. 3-6 include batteries, such as button cell batteries 28, that are arranged and oriented so as to match adjacent two-dimensional graphic representations or graphic images such that the batteries themselves represent portions of the two-dimensional image and provide such portions or elements of the two-dimensional image which a three-dimensional effect due to their shape and location.

FIG. 3 illustrates package 120 which includes a surface 24 of a card or card stock 22 with a graphical representation or image 126 of a woman having an earring 127 with three circular graphical representations 130, wherein three button cell batteries 28 are located at positions or locations corresponding to the three hanging balls 127 of the earring 127 to provide each earring 130 with a three-dimensional appearance and to complete a graphical representation of the earring 127.

FIG. 4 illustrates a packaging 220 a surface 24 with an image 226 comprising a bowling alley 227, wherein button cell batteries 28 represent bowling balls 230 in the ball-return of the alley 227.

FIG. 5 illustrates a packaging 320 including a card or other package 22 having a surface 24 including an image or graphic representation 226 of a chair cushion 227 including a multitude of chair cushions 230, wherein button cell batteries 28 are provided at locations corresponding to the chair cushions. The button cell batteries 28 blend in with the two-dimensional image while providing the two-dimensional image with a three-dimensional appearance.

FIG. 6 illustrates a packaging 420 a surface 24 with graphical representation for 26 of a street light or stoplight 427, wherein three button cell batteries 28 are located at locations corresponding to each of the three light: red, green and blue lights 430 to provide each light 430 with a three-dimensional appearance.

As shown in each of the examples, the button cell batteries occupy an extremely small percentage of the face of the packaging and a small percentage of the surface and the multiple two-dimensional images on the surface. In one embodiment, the button cell batteries occupy less than 10% of the surface. In another embodiment, the button cell batteries occupy less than 5%. As a result, the batteries enhance the graphical art being presented while not substantially detracting from the art.

Although each of the examples illustrated include multiple batteries of a common type or size, in other embodiments, differently sized batteries may be positioned on a single card or package surface. Although each of the examples illustrate three button cell batteries, in other embodiments, a greater or fewer number of such button cell batteries may be supported, secured or otherwise retained on the surface of the card 50. In still other embodiments, other batteries having others shapes may be employed in a similar fashion. For example, square or rectangle or batteries, nine volt batteries, alternatively be packaged in a similar fashion, wherein the rectangular batteries represent rectangular objects, articles and the like in a two-dimensional image to complete, help create or provide a three-dimensional or 3-D visual affect or presence relating to the two-dimensional image.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the defined subject matter. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a package having a surface including graphics providing a two dimensional image; and one or more batteries projecting from the surface and positioned relative to the graphics such that portions of the image are three dimensional.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the package comprises a card providing the surface.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the batteries are captured between the card and a translucent polymeric film.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the film is bonded to the card.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the card includes a hang hole.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 including at least three batteries.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least three batteries include a first battery, a second battery and a third battery, wherein the first battery is spaced from the second battery by a first distance, wherein the second battery is spaced from the third battery by a second different distance.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least three batteries are non-uniformly spaced from one another along the surface.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the batteries occupy less than 10 percent of an area of the surface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the batteries occupy less than 5 percent of an area of the surface.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the batteries comprise button cell batteries.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the image includes one or more circular portions and wherein the one or more button cell batteries are located at locations corresponding to the circular portions.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the circular portions include representations selected from a group of representations consisting of an earring, stop lights, bowling balls, vehicle headlights, and chair cushions. 